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The MEDIA LAW RESOURCE CENTER, INC. (MLRC) is a non-profit membership association for content providers in all media, and for their defense lawyers, providing a wide range of resources on media and content law and policy issues. These include news and analysis of legal, legislative and regulatory developments; litigation resources and practice guides; and national and international media law conferences and meetings. MLRC also works with its membership to respond to legislative and policy proposals, and speaks to the press and public on media law and First Amendment issues.

MLRC was founded in 1980 by leading American publishers and broadcasters to assist in defending and protecting free press rights under the First Amendment. Today MLRC is supported by over one hundred and fifteen members, including leading publishers, broadcasters, and cable programmers, internet operations, media and professional trade associations, and media insurance professionals in America and around the world. The MLRC’s Defense Counsel Section includes more than 200 law firms worldwide that specialize in media defense representation.

Among MLRC’s Resources:

Publications

MLRC MediaLawDaily – Published daily by e-mail, the Daily links to breaking news stories from the U.S. and the world on media law and business issues, and to decisions, briefs and legislative initiatives.

MLRC MediaLawLetter – Published monthly, the MediaLawLetter is the leading professional news source for developments in media law and policy, with reports on decisions and statutory developments.

MLRC Bulletin – Published three times a year, the Bulletin is an in-depth journal on media law developments and trends, including studies of U.S. media libel, privacy and related trials.

MLRC 50-State Surveys – Three annually updated treatises – Media Libel Law - Media Privacy and Related Law - Employment Libel and Privacy Law – are the leading litigation guides to the law in these fields, with detailed state-by-state information.

Conferences

MLRC Media Law Conference – Held in the Washington, D.C. area, the biennial Media Law Conference is the most substantive and effective conference for experienced media counsel, focusing on the practical aspects of media law and litigation, national and international.

MLRC London Conference – The London Conference, a biennial event which alternates with the U.S. based conference, is for media lawyers from around the world, affording an opportunity to discuss international developments and trends in libel, privacy and newsgathering laws. In addition to fostering an international media law dialogue among practitioners, the conference features distinguished participants from the judiciary and press.

Legal Frontiers in Digital Media Conference – Convened at the Computer History Museum and organized by MLRC and the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, the conference explores emerging legal issues surrounding digital content in today’s multi-platform world.

Legal Issues Concerning Hispanic & Latin American Media – MLRC's conference on Legal Issues Concerning Hispanic and Latin America Media is designed to provide lawyers from North America and Latin America a unique opportunity to meet and educate one another on the issues that arise in cross-border content creation, newsgathering, and distribution.

Committees, Meetings and Other Events

MLRC California Chapter – Holds quarterly luncheon meetings to discuss recent cases and legislative matters and practical issues of interest to MLRC members throughout the State (and by telephone hook-up, those who have an interest in California media law matters) and the annual MLRC/Southwestern Law Conference. The MLRC Cal Chapter is a means for California lawyers to not only meet one another, regardless of medium, but share insights on issues that cross media lines.

Member Meetings – MLRC also convenes ad hoc meetings of its members to foster discussion of key issues, including digital publishing practices, managing confidential sources and information, and document retention policies in a media context.

MLRC Annual Dinner – Every year more than 600 MLRC members and guests gather to support MLRC at a gala dinner featuring distinguished speakers, including prominent journalists and editors from all media, media executives, and public officials. At the Dinner, MLRC presents its William J. Brennan, Jr. Defense of Freedom Award given to those whose actions have advanced the cause of freedom of expression.

MLRC Forum - Held each November just prior to the MLRC Annual Dinner in New York, members are invited to an in-depth look and discussion of a single powerful business and/or legal matter.

Advocacy

MLRC also serves as a leader for the media in connection with statutory or related initiatives. Among the issues MLRC has been active on in recent years are reporter's privilege and right of publicity.

MLRC has gained recognition for its multifaceted research projects, including its annual Report on Trials and Damages in media libel, privacy and related claims. MLRC's studies and data have been widely cited in the popular press, scholarly and professional publications, amicus and other briefs, and in judicial opinions in state and federal courts.

MLRC handles countless questions each year about media libel, privacy and related law from journalists all over the world, academics, lawyers and others with an interest in the state of the law or individual cases.